KUTZTOWN, PA (October 13, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's bowling team will roll into action this weekend at the Pennsylvania Classic in Lancaster.
Teams participating in this weekend's classic are Penn State - Berks, Rochester IT, Mohawk Valley CC, and Briarcilffe.
The Golden Bears are coming off a striking season last year, finishing 14th nationally in the National TenPins Coaches Association (NTPCA) final Top 20. While only in its fourth year of existence, the KU women's bowling team has shown tremendous growth, proving why they are one of the best in the Northeast Conference (NEC).
Last year, the Golden Bears advanced to the NEC semifinals. Kutztown went 15-3 in the NEC last season.
The powerhouse roster for KU includes six returners, nine freshmen, and one transfer. The incoming class of freshman has made it the program's largest recruiting class in history.
Stamm is this year's captain, serving as commander in chief for the ladies. Stamm has been with the program since its beginning in 2007. Stamm set a school record with an individual effort to cherish as she came within two strikes of a perfect game at the Kutztown Invitational in Januray. Stamm has knocked down 10,150 pins in her tenure at Kutztown.
“My expectations are as high as they've ever been,” Stamm said. “I expect us to do very well this year judging on how talented and deep the team is. Since this year is all I have left, I'm making it our goal to get to nationals. We can definitely do that with everyone here.”
Jones will look to continue another season of success as she was named to the 2010 NEC all-tournament team. Last season, Jones earned co-MVP honors of the Kutztown Invitational in January. The NCAA Championships is one of the biggest goals for the ladies; however Jones is taking it one day at a time.
“Although nationals is in the back of my mind every tournament, we really have to take it match by match,” Jones said. “I plan to take it frame by frame, make sure I'm executing my shot to the best of my ability, staying calm, confident, and focused. The past two years have been great learning experiences. From them, I take the good with the bad; what I should do and shouldn't do. In the end, as long as I give it my all I'll have nothing to be upset about, it's all up to the pins.”
Adam concluded the year averaging 182.4. DeMatties and Shoemaker had a combined average of 173. Cohen rolled a season high of 186 at the NEC conference meet last year.
While everyone brings something essential to the team, Samantha Santoro is the anchor of Kutztown's strongest and largest recruiting class in program history. Santoro is a two-time All-American who was named to the 2010 NCAA National Championships all-tournament Team, averaging 221 over seven-team games for a total pin fall of 1547, which was the highest individual average by any bowler at the 2010 NCAA National Championships.
“I hope to help KU reach their first ever goal by getting to nationals,” Santoro said. “We really want to make it to nationals this year. Being on a team for the past two years that made it to nationals, I would say that I know how to help them and get us there. It does take a lot of practice and team unity but I really feel that KU has what it takes to make nationals this year.”
Santoro, Bower, DiRado, Hess, and Van Dyk, already displayed their dedication to succeed by competing at the 2010 Junior Gold Bowling Tournament and the North Pointe High School Tournaments in Indianapolis (In.) during the summer. The purpose of the Junior Gold Bowling Tournament was to select players for the USA Bowling junior team. Three Golden Bears had strong performances.
As the Golden Bears prepare to enter the 2010-11 season, their experience and the promise of the future will help Kutztown strive to reach its goals and hopefully surpass them.
“Our biggest advantage is that we have the talent to start off the season on a good note,” Stamm said. “Times in the past we've fallen apart by the end of the season. I don't see that happening here with as many knowledgeable and good bowlers we have here this year.”
